U.S. senator says Suu Kyi may ease stance on Myanmar sanctions

Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi may agree to Washington easing sanctions against the military government, Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia said Monday after securing the release of an American jailed for sneaking into the democracy leader's home. Webb on Sunday ended a short trip to Myanmar, bringing with him to Thailand John Yettaw, whose uninvited stay at Suu Kyi's residence in May caused both to be arrested. Yettaw was getting a medical checkup Monday at a hospital in Bangkok. During his stay, Webb was allowed to meet with Suu Kyi — who is under house arrest — and held talks with the junta chief, Senior Gen. Than Shwe. Suu Kyi is known to support Western sanctions against her country's government, although her precise position is difficult to discern because she has not been able to speak publicly since she was last taken into detention in May 2003.

Elsewhere

Russia: Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said Monday that the freighter Arctic Sea, which has a Russian crew, was found safe about 300 miles from Cape Verde — 2,000 miles from its intended port — and that the 15 crew members were taken aboard another vessel for questioning. The ship disappeared two weeks ago in European waters, sparking a search that involved several countries.

Mexico: At least eight people were killed early Monday when gunmen opened fire in a bar in drug-plagued Ciudad Juarez on the Mexico-Texas border. A Chihuahua state official said three others were hospitalized.

Kuwait: Authorities said Monday that they have apprehended the person suspected of setting fire to a wedding tent and killing 41 people and that the motive was personal. Local newspapers reported the groom's ex-wife was the arsonist.